Mormon History
Prominent Mormon Defectors - 1842
Sangamo Journal – July 1, 1842
THE MORMONS.
The corrupt bargain by which
the leaders of the Van Buren party, have sought to purchase the votes of the
Mormons, and the open avowal by Joe Smith, that the Mormons shall support the
candidate of the party, because Judge Douglass and other party leaders have
secured to them certain extraordinary chartered privileges -- over and above
those enjoyed by any other sect -- has called public attention to the movements
of Joe Smith, -- to the tyranny exercised by him over his followers, -- to the
moral principles by which he is governed; and it is not likely that he will much
longer deceive the mass of the people, however much he may deceive those who
have surrendered all their interests -- spiritual and temporal -- into his hand.
There are individuals in his flock, possessed of talents and disposition to use
them for the benefit of their sect and country. Among these individuals we
reckon General Bennett, Sidney Rigdon, Esq., Mr. George Robinson, and others.
But the Prophet will scarcely permit them to think or act except in entire
subservience to his wishes. It is now understood, that, within a few days past,
Smith has made a desperate, blackguard, and abusive public attack on Gen.
Bennett, Mr. Rigdon, and Mr. Robinson -- and reports, and we place great
reliance upon them, go so far as to say that the life of the former has been
threatened, and that orders have been issued to the Danite Band to murder
him in a clandestine manner on the first opportunity. Indeed, the report goes
farther, and states that two of the Danites have been in hot pursuit of Gen.
Bennett for several days, in order to accomplish the nefarious purpose, and thus
prevent a public exposition of the corruptions of the great impostor.
We call upon the people of our State to have an eye upon this matter -- and, if
either of the individuals mentioned should be missing, that there shall be no
hesitation in placing the responsibility of the act upon its proper authors, and
in making them feel in their own persons that murder shall be avenged.
We take no pleasure in placing these remarks upon paper. If a secret band of
assassins shall prowl about among this community, who is safe? The fate of Gov.
Boggs is an event not to be unheeded. But we should be unworthy of our position
should we fail to meet this matter as it deserves. -- And we now call upon
General Bennett, if the rumors we have stated have just foundation, to "take his
life into his hands," if that be required, and with the true spirit of a soldier
and a patriot, expose the crimes, if such exist, of the heaven-daring impostor.
-- We call upon Gen. Bennett to come out NOW. We appeal to him to do this in
behalf of his fellow-citizens, who claim this of him, by all the considerations
which can be presented to him as a lover of his species and as the servant of
his God. Such an exposure may save life -- may expose corruption -- may avert
consequences which no man can contemplate without fearful apprehensions. We call
upon Gen. Bennett to produce documentary evidence, that the public may form
opinions that cannot be gainsayed -- that they may understand the entire
character, as it stands naked before his God, of a long successful religious
impostor.
Among the subjects which we call upon Gen. Bennett, Messrs. S. Rigdon, G. W.
Robinson, and others, to notice, are the rumors that Joe Smith, some short time
before he applied for the benefits of the Bankrupt Law, was in possession of
most valuable property -- a part of which he made over to himself as sole
trustee for the use of the Mormon Church, and another part for the use of his
wife and children. The records of Hancock county will show if these things are
so. And if these rumors are true, we call upon Mr. Robinson to come here with
his proof -- and let it be placed before the U. S. Circuit Court at its first
session. We trust that there will be no hesitation in doing this -- that there
will be no compromise -- no efforts to injure the innocent, and no pains spared
to expose the guilty.
Such is the opinion we hold of Gen. Bennett, that we shall expect he will
respond to the calls made in this article. It appears to us, under all the
circumstances of the case, he will not refuse to do so. While he will be upon
his guard against midnight assassination -- while he will regard with contempt
the "bulls of excommunication" issued against him -- he will proceed to make
developments that will astonish the world.
The People of Illinois will then see the character of that man who has avowed
his determination to fill the two first offices of this State with his own
creatures -- Thomas Ford and John Moore.
Sangamo Journal – July 29, 1842
ORSON PRATT.
We learn from the Warsaw Signal, that gentlemen has gone from Nauvoo.
He left a communication with his friends which stated that he had been
induced to take this course on account of the treatment of his wife, by
Smith, and of the general management of the affairs of the Church by
him.
We further learn from other sources, that Smith, finding his attempts
on Mr. Pratt were matters of notoriety, went to her husband with a
manufactured story, that his wife was a base woman, and that the fact
was well known to him. This communication had such an effect upon Mr.
Pratt -- at once blasting his happiness and the reputation of a
virtuous woman -- that the wretched husband left the city.
It will be recollected that Mrs. Schindle in her affidavit, detailing
the attempt of Smith upon her, said -- "He told her she must never tell
his proposition to her, for he had all influence in that place, and if
she told he would ruin her character, and she would be under the
necessity of leaving."
The same scheme has been carried out in reference to Mrs. Pratt. She
"told" on the impostor, and was marked by him for destruction. In a
public speech in Nauvoo on the 14th, Joe spoke of this lady -- a woman
whose reputation had been as fair as virtue could make it until she
came in contact with him -- in a manner only befitting the lowest and
most degraded vagabond in existence.
The reader can hence learn the state of society at Nauvoo. The facts
furnished are presented by the holy Joe himself.
We do not know what course will be pursued by Mr. Pratt, If he sinks
under the denunciations and schemes of Joe Smith -- if he fails to
defend the reputation of himself and of the woman he has vowed to
protect before high heaven -- he will fix a stain upon his character
which he can never wash out, and carry to the grave the pangs caused by
"the gnawings of the worm that never dies."
We trust that he will secure for himself a more honorable position in
life, and will come to the rescue of the fame of his lady, and expose
the infamous course of the prophet, as becomes a man, an
honorable citizen, and a sincere christian.
Sangamo Journal – August 5, 1842
COL. GEO. W. ROBINSON OF NAUVOO.
Letter of Col. Robinson to the Quincy Whig -- says that he has not been expelled from the Church of Latter Day Saints -- but that he has been roughly handled by them -- intimates that the public may judge of his case when they see and hear the TESTIMONY -- adverts to the fact that he is a son of a revolutionary Sire, and declares that he shall not flinch in the cause of freedom -- says that individuals are not allowed to withdraw from the Mormon Church -- but that he wishes all men, before his Maker, to understand that he neither desires nor considers himself "any longer a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints."
NAUVOO,
July 12, 1842.
To the Editors of the Quincy
Whig.
GENTLEMEN:
-- I wish through your paper, to respond to an article published in the
same of
the 9th. inst. as rumor -- embracing my name (in connection
with others,) as having been expelled from the Church of Latter Day
Saints, joining Bennett's party, &c., &c.
I would say that I have had no knowledge of such an occurrence
whatever, and have not been advised of any difficulty existing between
the Church and myself in any legal manner -- It is true that I have
been pretty roughly handled in the CONGREGATION OF SAINTS,
for what offence, I know not: but I have some times thought, I [might]
(in the providence and great wisdom of ____ ), have been selected as a
SCAPE GOAT,
to carry the sins of OTHERS.
I have for a long time desired that some friend would inform me
for what purpose that scandalous attacks have, at several times,
been made on myself, in connection with Mr. Rigdon, but have at last
concluded as above. I will, however, leave all for the public to
decide when they shall both see and hear the testimony. I must
acknowledge myself a frail being, and am not easily persuaded to
surrender my rights to others. My father served in the war of the
Revolution, and flinched not in the contest for Freedom! He
shall not blush to hear that his son ever failed to maintain it. I say
this with all due deference to Prophets, Priests, Kings and Rulers.
As to Bennett's party, and the conspiracy against this people, I only
say. FUDGE -- NOT GUILTY.
God forbid I ever should conspire to injure the innocent, and
the law is all sufficient for the guilty, (If any there are.)
Since Gen. Bennett's withdrawal from the church, I have understood that
a Resolution has been passed prohibiting all withdrawals from the
church; so if a member wishes to withdraw, he must be expelled and
published to the world; this I believe is now the statute of the
Church. I now take the opportunity to say to ALL
men, before my Maker, that I neither desire nor consider myself, any
longer a member of said Church of Latter Day Saints. If necessary, I
shall give my reasons for withdrawal at some future time; if not, I
shall remain silent.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't.
GEO. W. ROBINSON.
The public will learn with
great satisfaction, that Col. Robinson has sufficient independence and
regard for the best interest of himself and his fellow men, to withdraw
from the Mormon church. So well do the public now appreciate the
character of Joe Smith and the leaders of the church devoted to him,
that no leading men can well remain attached to them but he must suffer
in character with the community. We doubt not that there are many well
meaning men attached to the church, who are not in the secrets of their
leaders, but are duped and deceived.
We trust that Col. Robinson will lay his "testimony" before the
public. Surely there should be no secrets in the policy or acts of the
leaders of a church of Latter Day Saints that cannot with propriety be
revealed. As a son of one of the actors in our glorious revolution we
have a right to anticipate, that while he throws off the shackles of
"Prophetic, Priests, Kings and Rulers," he will give the
"testimony," or reasons that have led him to adopt a course which has
raised him in the estimation of the public, and placed him in a
position to be of much service to the community.
Sangamo Journal – August 26, 1842
LETTER FROM COL. ROBINSON.
It will be recollected that a week or
two since, we re-published a communication from the Quincy Whig,
written by the gentleman above named, in which he gave notice that he
wished no longer to be considered as belonging to the Church of Latter
Day Saints, He also added, that the leaders of the Church had adopted a
resolution that no person should be permitted to withdraw from the
body; but that in all cases, they should be expelled.
The independence manifested by Col. ROBINSON,
rendered it necessary, to the Mormon leaders, if possible to destroy
his credibility as a witness -- a policy which it appears they adopt on
all similar occasions. In pursuance of that policy, the Nauvoo Wasp of
the 4th inst. attacks Col. Robinson, alleging that he had sold to
different individuals, land, &c., and furnishes the certificates of
Carlos Granger and Horace S. Eldridge to prove the allegations.
In reply to these charges, we have received the following communication
from Col. Robinson -- which we should think, with all candid men, would
settle the matter entirely in his favor.
It is one of the singular features of the cases of these seceding
Mormons, that they are all first rate men while belonging to the Mormon
church, but so soon as they leave it, they become at once, if their
charitable and truth-loving brethren are to be believed, great
villains. Such has been the fact in the cases of Gen. Bennett and Col.
Robinson. A discerning public will be at no loss to discover the truth
in these cases, and others which may occur of a similar character"
For the Sangamo Journal.
NAUVOO,
Aug. 8, 1842.
The old adage
verified -- "Drowning men will catch at straws." This saying was
never more fully verified than in the Wasp of the 4th inst. No doubt
the authors supposed it a mighty attempt to stop my mouth, by getting a
pair of worthies to certify, for the chief of defamation, thinking, as
I suppose, that this, of course, would be a silencer -- a fair
earthquake. If it were not that "birds" of a feather will flock
together," it is very doubtful if there are any human beings on the
globe, who would think their cause bettered by a certificate of Carlos
Granger, a perfect drunken vagabond, and an absolute disgrace to
the human species -- but then every man to his taste.
Now for the certificates for this pair of worthies. To give the
whole history of the matter. would take considerable time and space,
and would be too great a tax upon the patience of the public. I would
merely say, that on the 30th Aug. 1839, I made a contract with this
Carlos Granger, to sell him a piece of land, for a certain
consideration -- gave a bond, running 30 days -- consideration $200.
The 30 days passed -- no money came -- Granger came to see me a short
time after and said he would pay all in a few days; said Joseph Smith
had borrowed his money, and he could not get it. I told him I would
take it if payed within one week, as I wanted money to use on my
journey to New England; and told him I sold it for less than half of
what I had been offered on a credit [of] six months; he came and paid
$87 -- and that ended the payments. In the mean time he had got
possession of the same. Granger remains in possession at the present
time.
I took counsel from SYDNEY
H. LITTLE,
Esq. He informed me that, as Granger had forfeited his contract, I was
no longer holden to him any farther than to pay him back what he had
paid me. I sent to Granger several times to come and settle with me,
and take the land he had paid for, &c. He utterly refused to settle,
but said he would have the whole land or nothing, and would pay me when
he pleased. Mr. Little told me to sell the land, and pay him they money
when called for. I sold the land, or part of it to Mr. Horace S.
Eldridge, as he states in his certificate, for some Missouri property.
When Eldridge came to this place he saw Granger, and then told me he
would rather have some other property. I informed him I would warrant
and defend the place sold to him; but he concluded not to wait for a
law suit, but said he would take some town property. I had just bought
two lots of Mr. Church of Missouri, paid him $1000 -- the amount that
said Church paid Joseph Smith for the lots a few days before. Eldridge
complained at the price, and I was anxious to satisfy him if possible.
He offered me $700 for the two lots, and house. I finally let him have
the property and deeded it over to him. If he was ever dissatisfied
about the arrangement, he certainly never intimated the same to me; and
I presume he never thought of complaining until it would answer the
ends of certain individuals to do so.
I commenced suit against Granger, and it would have been tried at the
may term of the circuit court; but Joseph Smith sent for me one day,
just before court, and wanted to settle the matter between Granger and
myself. Smith had been Granger's attorney, and had employed Esq.
Warren, of Quincy, to attend Granger's case. We finally agreed upon a
settlement, and I have held myself in readiness to comply according to
agreement; and I withdrew the suit from court, paid the cost, with an
understanding that the matter was all settled. I now have the terms of
settlement, as agreed upon in writing, under the hand of C. A. Warren,
Esq.
So much for this attempt at defamation. This attack upon my character
is in perfect accordance with other things which have shown themselves
-- that is, if it is feared that a man has it in his power to make
disclosures, his character is assailed, to destroy the validity of his
testimony, and save the guilty from reproach.
If there is not a scape-goat needed, why then seek for one? Why make
efforts which show to the world that the entire object of those who
attack me is to conceal some hidden things, or some thing done in
secret? Such wanton attacks, such shameful condescensions, and such low
[ribaldry?], which speaks a language not to be mistaken, that a scape-goat
is not only needed, but diligently sought for.
As to the doctrine prohibiting any member from withdrawing from the
church, which the men if the Wasp deny, I have only to say, that
B. YOUNG, President of the Quorum of Twelve, did say in a public congregation on
the 18th of June, that no member could withdraw from said church, and
that Bennett had no right to withdraw, but should have been expelled;
and then and there the said Bennett was expelled in pursuance of
this doctrine; and Joseph Smith was also present, and did acquiesce in
the same settlement. And for testimony of which I now say you, men
of the Wasp, for out of the dozen would be editors, who are
prowling and loafing about the printing office, it would be difficult
to ascertain the editors!
For the truth of the statement about the land contract, I would refer
the public to the documents themselves. The don't often lie. Sidney
Rigdon is also acquainted with the circumstances, and will say the same
as is here said. As to the character of the said Granger, I submit to
any gentleman who knows him.
Respectfully, &c.
GEO. W. ROBINSON.
Sangamo Journal – September 23, 1842
More of Joe Smith's Villainies!
Communication of J. F. Olney,
A SECEDING MORMON.
La Harpe, Hancock Co., Sept. 10, 1842.
Editor, Sangamo Journal:
Dear Sir: -- I wish to make through the medium of your paper, a
public withdrawal from the church of Latter Day Saints, as I cannot
longer consent to remain a member of said church while polygamy,
lasciviousness and adultery are practiced by some of its leaders. That
crimes of the deepest dye are tolerated and practiced by them, cannot
be doubted.
I have heard the circumstances of Smith's attack upon Miss Rigdon, from
the family as well as herself, -- and knowing her to be a young lady
who sustains a good moral character, and also of undoubted veracity, I
must place implicit confidence in her statements, the foul insinuations
of that miserable little insect the Wasp, to the contrary
notwithstanding.
And having a personal knowledge of Smith's lying at different
times in the name of the Lord, I cannot for a moment doubt but he did
so in the case above alluded to. Smith is so fearful that his character
(which is poorest where best known) is about to take a sudden flight to
parts unknown -- that he has lately either by himself on the public
stand, or by his organ the Wasp, attacked the character of every
person, who he thinks will demur and proclaim against his
conduct, and been called upon by the public to state what they know
about the matter, and who have thus far refrained from taking part with
either side -- these are they who feel the indignation and wrath
of the Prophet Smith, and who suffer in the MORMON
community by foul calumny of these debauchees.
I know that Miss Rigdon has been greatly mortified by being obtruded
before the public -- nevertheless it was unavoidable on her part, and
if Smith succeeds in extricating himself from the awful dilemma in
which he has placed himself, by obtaining her certificate to the
contrary, then I am much mistaken in the character of Miss Rigdon. It
is true that Mr. Rigdon has endeavored to allay the excitement upon
this subject, and has evaded a direct answer to the public, as far as
he could consistently with truth, but that part which is true
he has left untouched. -- The fact of Smith's wishing to marry Miss
Rigdon as a spiritual wife, of his attack upon her virtue, his
teachings about his having the blessings of Jacob, &c. &c., as stated
in General Bennett's letters,
ARE TRUE; and if I am called
upon to prove it, I SHALL DO IT
to the satisfaction of the public, and to the chagrin and
mortification of Smith and others. The letter published purporting
to be from Smith to Miss Rigdon, was not in Smith's hand-writing, but
in the hand-writing of Dr. Willard Richards, who officiated not only as
scribe, but post boy, for the Prophet, and who DID say
that he wrote the letter as dictated by Joseph Smith, and said
Joseph Smith did
say, on a certain occasion, that he did direct said Richards to write a
letter to Miss Nancy Rigdon; and I now say I stand ready to prove these
allegations by as respectable WITNESSES
as can be produced in Hancock County, and if Smith has no other means
by which he can extricate himself from this complexis argumentum
bicornis, then by endeavoring to blast the characters of the
innocent and unoffending, to shield himself from infamy and disgrace,
then let him fire his Tormentum Murale -- and be gathered unto his
Fathers.